Algebraic formulae for compositions of functions in rings (Q1901207)

The author obtains algebraic formulae for compositions of linearly limited functions defined on unique factorization domains. It is assumed that the groups of units of the UFD involved may be characterized as the minimal elements with respect to a suitable pseudo-norm. It is introduced an index \(\text{ind}_\tau\) of compositions and extends a result of \textit{H. Shapiro} on the \(\varphi\)-function [Am. Math. Monthly 50, 18-30 (1943; Zbl 0061.08002)]. It is proved that the formula \(\text{ind}_\tau (a\circ b) = \text{ind}_\tau (a) + \text{ind}_\tau (b) - \chi_L(a,b)\) is valid for Euclidean rings, with \(\tau\) a fixed function and \(L\) a fixed set of primes.